Ballmer talks of his departing pal Bill Gates and Microsoft's vision for the future

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has a deep fondness and
appreciation for Bill Gates. Ballmer has worked beside Microsoft's founder
since 1980 – before that, the two were friends at Harvard -- and has been one
the company’s most vocal
and enthusiastic champions.

The close relationship that the two have was even more
apparent in a recent interview with the UK's Telegraph
newspaper. Ballmer conversed with Josephine Moulds over Microsoft's future endeavors
including its expanded reach into online software applications and large-scale
advertising

However, it was Ballmer's thoughts on Bill Gates -- and his
children -- which seemed to take center stage.

"We have been like parents or brothers in this thing
for a long time," said Ballmer. "Partners, spouses, whatever, we
participated together in giving birth to this amazing thing called Microsoft.
We always work well together, we do not always agree, we always work through
our disagreements."

Ballmer went on to explain the spousal nature of his
relationship with Gates. "That is why I say there is a certain
husband-wife, brothers thing, where you have an ability to agree, resolve
issues, a fundamental respect, admiration, good feeling. All that lets you make
one plus one equal three, in terms of getting the best from two people."

Ballmer didn't stop there, however. He then brought his
children into the discussion to highlight the progress that Microsoft is making
with its products.

"We happen to have two children that are a little
older, and they are great kids, they are still developing," said Ballmer.
"They are in high school, they are wonderful, they have got their whole
future in front of them. That is our desktop -- Windows and Office -- and our
server business."

"Then we have got these two young kids. They are four
or five, they are really at a formative stage, and they are building their
muscles. That is where we are in online and devices."

Microsoft is indeed trying to react and adapt to changing
market conditions. The company followed Google's lead with the introduction of Office
Live Workspace -- an effort to branch out into the field of web-based
applications.

When it comes to devices, Microsoft has found plenty of
success with its Xbox 360 platform despite RRoD failures. The company is
looking to strengthen its position in the console wars this holiday season with
beefed up Premium
and Elite bundles and a value-packed Arcade
model.

Ballmer is at the helm of what is likely America's most
high-profile software companies. He's shared the limelight with his buddy Bill
Gates for the past 17 years. When Gates leaves his Microsoft ties behind next
year, Ballmer will be without his "spouse" when it comes time to make
big decisions.